Silo unloader



July 20, 1965 s. H. SIME 3,195,742

SILO UNLOADER Original Filed Jan. 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

sYLv N H.SIME

ATTORNEY July 20, 1965 s. H. SlME 3, 5,7

SILO UNLOADER Original Filed Jan. 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. SYLVAN H. SIME ATTOR NEY July 20, 1965 s. H. SIME 3,195,

SILO UNLOADER Original Filed Jan. 10, 1962 Sheets-Sheet 5 use ' 9INVENTOR.

SYLVAN H. SIME ATTORNEY July 20, 1965 s. s 3,195,742

SILO UNLOADER Original Filed Jan. 10, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.SYLVAN H. SIME MM 4 M ATTORNEY United States Patent 0 3,195,742 SE10UNLUABER Eylvan ll. Shire, Kiester, hdinm, asslgnor to Deere {Ionipany,Moline, ill, a corporation of Delaware @riginal application it), 1%2,Ser. No. 1622394, new Patent No. 3,144,144, dated Aug. El, 1954. Dividedand this application Sept. 25, E63, Ser. No. SilAtid 2-9 Claims. Cl.21417) This application is a division of Serial No. 165,394, filedJanuary 10, 1962, now Patent No. 3,144,144.

This invention relates to a material unloader for use in a silo. Stillmore particularly it relates to a type of silo or material unloaderwhich moves on the surface of the silage and effects discharge of theupper layer of the silage through an opening in the silo wall.

In the use of surface silo unloaders, there are normally two problems ofgreat magnitude which must be met in order for the unloader to besuccessfully operated, the first being to maintain a relatively smoothupper surface in the silage, and the second being the ability of thesurface silo unloader to move the material into the center of the siloand from thence upwardly and outwardly through the wall opening of thesilo.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide anew and novel manner of moving material inwardly to the center of thesilo and then both upwardly and outwardly to the wall. It is also theobject of the invention to provide a rather new and novel method ofmaintaining the sweeping mechanism of the silo unloader in a relation tothe surface of the silage so that the silage will remain insubstantially a level plane throughout operation of t e silo unloader.

More specifically, it is the object of the present invention to providea new and novel structure at the center of the silo which includes aninverted cup-like element with an impeller therein. Directly and closelyadjacent the lower edge of the inverted cup is provided a radial sweepauger which extends from the center of the silo toward the wall of thesilo and moves material inwardly to an area beneath the inverted cup orimpeller lad es. The sweep auger includes a flight element which isdisposed normally outwardly of the inverted cup chamber and the erelement which is fixed to the auger drive shaft and 1s normally disposedinwardly of the chamber wall. Consequently the material is movedinwardly throu 'h operation of the auger flight until it reaches theradial flipper on the auger driveshaft which will cause the material tobe flipped upwardly into the path of the impeller blade. Fixed to theside of the cup chamber is an auger which receives the material from theimpeller and feeds the material outwardly through the discharge openingin the silo wall.

In one form of the invention, it is proposed to provide the sweep augerstructure with two distinct sections, one being a relativey shortsection which is disposed adjacent the wall and the other being arelatively long section which extends from an area spaced from the wallinwardly to the center of the silo. The outer auger section willnormally move in advance of the inner section and will cut an annulartrough in the surface of the silo. The inner auger section has a guidewheel on its outer end which will normally ride in the annular troughcut by the outer section and consequently the depth of cut of the innersection will be determined by the depth of the annular trough created bythe outer auger section. in this form of the invention it is furtherproposed to provide the unique manner of controlling the depth of cut ofthe outer auger section so that the silage in the silo will have anupper surface which is generally both horizontal and level.

" ice in a modified form of the invention it is specifically providedfor a single sweep auger to extend substantially the radius of the siloand a unique manner of maintaining the surface of the silage level aswell as maintaining the surface substantially horizontal.

(Ether objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose slrilled in the art as the nature of the invention is betterunderstood from the following description and as shown in theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a silo with the silo unloader positionedtherein.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 ofPIGJ.

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line d-4 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line S5 of FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 of FIG.1.

PEG. 7 is a plan view of a silo and a modified form of the silounloader.

FIG. 8 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 33 of HG.'7.

9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9 of PEG. 8.

FIG. 1C- is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l l ofFIG. 7.

PEG. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line ill-4 .1of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of portions of the structure shown in FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a portion of the central sectionof the silo unloader.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the linel4-l4 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a different portion of the centralportion of the silo unloader.

PEG. 16 is still a further perspective view showing a different portionoft r6 central portion of the silo unloader.

Referring now to the drawings, the silo unloader will normally bedisposed in a conventional silo having an upright cylindrical wall illwith a series of vertically aligned side openings or material outlets l1conventionally closed by doors, not shown, which may be removed forpurposes of discharging silage from the silo. The silo unloader isnormally supported in the silo in pendulum fashion by a cable 12depending from a supporting structure on the top of the silo. As isconventional, the cable may be retracted or extended by a winch, notshown, for purposes of raising and lowering the silo unloader.

The silo unloader is composed of a centrally located main frameworkstructure 15 which includes an inverted cup-shaped impeller chamber orcasing 16 having a vertically disposed cylindrical casing wall 17 with alower circular edge 18 having the same diameter as the chamber walls 17.The casing in is closed at its upper surface by a horizontally disposedpanel wall 19. The casing 16 has therein and on one side thereof amaterial discharge opening at 2b.

The main framework 15 carries thereon a vertically disposed driveshaft25 by means of upper and lower journals 26, 27 positioned above thecasing 16, the lower journal 27 being disposed directly on the surfaceof the top panel 19. The shaft 25 extends through the top wall 19 andhas a lower end 28 disposed beneath the chamber 16 and extending into agear casing 233. Fixed to the shaft 25 internally of the casing 16 andby means of a set screw 30, are impeller blades 31. The impeller blades31 extend laterally relative to the shaft 25 and have upper edges lyingclosely adjacent the top wall 19 and outer edges lying closely adjacentthe cylindrical wall 17. The lower edges of the impeller blades 31 aresubstantially at the level of the lower edge 18 of the cylindrical wall17. Consequently the impeller blades 31 will move within the chamber 16so as to clear the entire chamber of material.

The main framework 15 also has the motor supporting structure 35 as apart thereof supoprting an electric motor 36 having a vertical shaft 37.The shaft 37 is drivingly connected to the vertical shaft 25 by means ofa chain drive indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 38.

A sweep mechanism, including a first or outer auger 4t) and a second orinner auger 41, is disposed on the surface of the silage. The auger 40has an auger driveshaft 42 articulately connected by a universal typejoint 43 to the central portion of the silo unloader. In viewing FIG. 1,it becomes apparent that the auger flight 49 is disposed coselyproximate the wall and operates to feed material centrally. The outerend of the shaft 42 rigidly carries a cutter 44 with a convex face plate45 which rotates freely on the shaft 42. The cutter cuts frozen or othertype of silage from the wall 1d of the silo. In operation, the'auger 40will sweep about the surface of the silage and cut an annular troughadjacent the wall 10.

The auger 41 is supported by an auger driveshaft 46, the inner end ofwhich is drivingly connected to the lower end 28 of the driveshaft 25 bymeans of bevel gears 47, 48. The bevel gears 47, 48 are disposed in anextension of the gear transmission housing 29. The articulate oruniversal joint 43 is driven by a short stub shaft 5t extending into thegear housing 29. The shaft 5t} is drivingly connected to the lower end28 of the main shaft 25 by means of a bevel gear 51 and a countershaft52 carrying a pinion 53 of a reversing gear drive. The pinion 53 mesheswith a gear 54 carried on the shaft 50. The main framework furtherincludes a laterally disposed arm 60 which extends outwardly toward thewall 10 and slightly above the auger 41. The outer end of the arm 6% andthe auger shaft 46 are interconnected by a bracket 61 which in turnsupports gage wheel 62. Also carried on the outer end of the arm 60 isbracket structure 63 carrying a laterally disposed guide wheel 64, thelatter moving about a vertical axis.

Reviewing the sweep auger arrangement in its entirety,

it becomes apaprent that the auger 44 is disposed adjacent the wall 10and operates to sweep an annular path adjacent the wall 10 and to movesilage inwardly. The gage wheel 62 will normally ride in this annulartrough formed by the auger 40 and consequently will cause the auger 41to convey material inwardly toward the center of the silo. It thereforebecomes apaprent that the depth of cut of the auger 4%) determines theoverall depth of cut of the silage since the depth of cut of anger 41 isdependent upon the depth that the gage wheel 62 rides on the silage. Thewheel 64 is normally out of engagement of the wall 10. However, shouldabnormal conditions exist in one side of the silage or should for somereasons the pendulum or cable 12 cause the silo unloader to swing, thewheel 64 will engage the wheel for the purpose of buffering the auger 41and its gage wheel 62 against contact with the wall. Consequently thewheel 64 normally serves the purpose of limiting movement of the silounloader in respect to the wall of the silo.

The entire silo unloader is angularly driven about the silo by means ofdrive wheel means including a conventional type drive wheel 70, whichhas an inwardly directed drive wheel shaft 71, the inner end of which isconnected to a propeller shaft 72 by means of a universal or articulatejoint 73. The inner end of the propellent shaft 72 is drivinglyassociated with the lower end 28 of the vertical driveshaft 25 by meansof a universal or articulate joint 74 which connects the inner end ofthe shaft 72 to the outer end of the intermediate driveshaft 75 whichextends into the gear housing 29. The shaft 75 raise or lower.

has a gear 76 mounted thereon which is driven by a worm gear 77 carriedon an outer extension of the auger driveshaft 46. The worm 77 of courseoperates as a speed reducer and consequently the drive wheel 7% willnormally move at a relatively low speed over the surface of the silage.Also, the drive wheel 7t) will normally move in the path of the annulartrough formed by the auger 4t). The drive wheel 7t), auger 4t), andanger 41 are all interconnected by means of laterally disposed structurecomposed of a diagonal laterally disposed structural tube 8@ pivoted at81 about a horizontal axis parallel to the arm 6% and extending to apoint closely adjacent the inner end of auger 40. An arm structure 3?;is welded at 33 to the opposite end of the structural tube 30 andcarries a bearing 84 for supporting the auger shaft 42. The opposite endof the arm structure 82 rigidly carries a U- shaped bracket 36. Thebracket 86 carries between the legs of the U an upright threadedadjusting stud 87. A supporting bracket 91 projects outwardly from thethreaded stud 87 and carries a journal or bearing 91 in which the shaft71 is journalled. The bearing 91 is permitted movement up and down bymeans of a supporting tube 92 fixed to the bearing 91 and carried on ahorizontal pivot stud 93. The bearing supported bracket 9t? has upperand lower flanges which are suitable to pass relatively freely on thethreaded stud 87. A nut element 94 welded to bracket @tt receives thestud 87 and operates through turning the stud S7 to adjust verticallythe entire bearing supporting bracket Viewing the entire structure as awhole, it becomes apparent that the members $63,

.82 and 9d are all rigidly joined together and that raising and loweringof one of the members will raise and lower the other of the members.

A laterally disposed tubular member 1% extends diametrically across theupper surface of the silage and has one end connected to the outer endof the propellant shaft 72 the latter being connected to the tubularmember ll'dti by means of a bracket 181. A suitable journal 162 isprovided to permit the shaft 72 to rotate relative to the bracket fill.The opposite end of the tube member 1% carries surface sensing wheel 195which normally rides on the surface of the silage. The tube member Nilis rigid with and is a portion of the main framework 5. Reviewing theentire structure as a whole, it will become apparent that the wheel 165in combination with the drive wheel and auger 4th operates as alevelling mechanism. By way of explanation, the wheel Hi5 will ride overhigh or level spots causing the tubular member 1% to For example, shouldthe wheel 1G5 pass over a high level of silage, the tubular member atthe end of the wheel 165 will rise and the opposite end will be causedto lower. This will cause the shaft 71 also to be lowered since ineffect a member 1M will cause the universal joint 73 to be lowered. Asthe shaft 71 is lowered it will cause the rigid structures 8t), 32 and9%} to also be lowered and since the latter is connected to the augershaft 42, it will cause the auger 40 to dig a deeper bite in the silage.Consequently, should at any time there be a tendency for the silagelevel to form a cone shape, i.e., either to have the outer edge of thesilage higher than the center or the center silage at a higher levelthan the outer edge, the wheel 1% will sense the uneven condition andwill cause the auger 4i? to dig deeper or shallower depending upon whichit is desired to bring the level of the silage substantially to ahorizontal plane.

Also, it should be recognized that as the auger 40 makes a deepertrough, the gage wheel 62. will cause the auger 41 to also cut deeper inthe silage. Consequently the entire level of the silage is gaged by thesensing wheel 1%.

Adjacent to the chamber 16 and opening into the side discharge opening26 is an auger housing 114? which exuni ue in its shape in that thewidth of the housin: is conq J siderabl wider than the au er Fillncrmall' mounted therein. The auger liousi g ill has its intake openingadjacent the side opening 2.5 of the chamber 19. Reviewing FIG. 2, itbecomes apparent that the auger ill lies closely adjacent one of thewalls of the housing 11% but is spaced laterally from the oppositeupdght wall. The purpose of so spacing the auger Ill is to permit silageor other materials to move from the auger between the wall 11% and theouter edge of the auger ill. The silage caught betwee the wall andsilage will be x bed along by the auger ill even them it will not beangered. This n eifect is created since there will normally be africtional type en agernent between the material being angered by theauger ill and the ma erial lying alongside the auger ill. Consequentlyby so disposing the auger in relation to the auger hous ng ll, L18overall cacacity of the discharge auger is coiderably increased.

Adjacent the inner end of the auger il is a f' paddle ii -i norm-ally d"-osed beneath the under the impe er chamber n An auger section 21 ismounted on the shaft and is of a reversed pitch t ran the augerConsequently the material being moved inwardly by the auger will contactthe dinner or paddle and will be driven upwardly. Material will beprevented from moving further inward of the paddle 114 by the augerlight section lib". It will be noted, in viewing FIG. 2, that the outeredge of the iligiper paddle 11 will come closely adjacent the lower edgeof the chamber 118 when it is in its extreme upper position.Consequently th material being thrown or lifted ucwardiy will passdirectly into the path of the impeller t ades to be moved internally ofthe er H9 until passing through the ope ng and into the a er housinglit). Suitable shielding such as 116 is provided adjacent the flipperpaddle 314 so as to limit the quantity of material which may moveoutwardly from beneath the chamber The auger 121 is driven by means of aV-belt it? extending over a pulley all at the end of an auger driveshaft 11*; on which is carried the auger fiighting ill. The belt 137extends over drive pulley 12d carried on the end of the main drive shaftA pair of idler p 123, 12 2, accommodating the extension of the belt Tl:around the corner of the chamber 135, is fixed to the upper surface ofthe chamber 15. In this form of the invention, therefore, it ecomes aparent that the entire silo unloader is driven from the single motor anddirectly from the vertical driveshalt This, therefore, provides arelatively cheap and simple type or" drive.

in the modification of the invention shown in FEGS. 7-17, the centralimpeller portion and auger discharge are substantially ideni al to tl tof the previous form, the main distinction being the enarate electricmotor 12 L is carried on the top of t auger housing Jill; and isdrivingly connected to the auger shaft M9 by of a chain and sprocketdrive Consequently the entire belt drive extending rom the main shaft 25to the auger driveshaft 119 of the previous form of the invention iseliminated. Since the main details of the central impeller section andits resgscctive drive mechanism is identical similar reterence numeralsare used and further description is not deemed necessary and will not berepea. ed.

The supporting struct interconnecting the drive wheel with the sweep mac3 com eosed of a trishaoed aterally dispose rrame structure CODSlSLlZ'lghree rigidly interconnected tubes or pipe sections 1%, 13d, and Thetubular member 13% extends outwardly from the central portion of thesilo to a point adjacent and is relatively small so as to permit adegree of in the tube The member a 5 he an outer drive wheel it 13% isrigidly connected to the tubular member 132 by means of an angle ironsteel element which underlies adjacent ends of the tubular members 13d,132 and is welded as at 13:3 to the under side of tubular member 132.The tubular member lStl is rigidly held to one flange of the uncle ironsteel strap 1'33 by means or" a bolt 135 extending hrough a rigidvertical bracket on the end of the tubular member 13d. There are aseries of vertically spacedopenings 13"] in the bracket 136 so that themember 13 9 may be adjusted vertically relative to the other portions ofthe frame. The extreme outer end of t e tubular member 132 has fixedthereto a U-shaped bracket structure Mil which carries an uprightthreaded stud 141 between the legs or" the bracket i l-ll. Mounted onthe threaded stud Mi is a driveshaft supporting bracket extendingoutwardly and carrying a bearing M3 on which is mounted a wheeldriveshaft 144. The bracket structure ll i as suitable apertures thereinto receive the threaded stud M1 and the bracket structure 142 may beadius ed vertically by adjusting a nut 145 on the stud 141.

be hearing 14-3 is carried on the bracket structure 142 by means of ahorizontal tube 3.46 adapted to pivot about the horizontal axis of apivot bolt 147. Consequently the wheel may be adjusted relative to thesupporting structure T139, 131, 132.

The tubular member 131 extends radially outwardly from the center of thesilo and supports at its outer end an auger driverhaf a, the specifictype of support being a bracket 151 carrying a shaft bearing 152'. Thetubular member as is generally to one side and above the auger shaft25:). The auger shaft carries an auger flighting 15% extendingsubstantially radially of the silo. It terminates adjacent the bearing152. at its outer end and terminates at its inner end substantiallydirectly beneath the vertical wal l7 of the impeller chamber Directlybeneath the impeller chamber 1 6 is a radially extending blade 3575which operates to receive the material from the auger 154 and to hip orimpel it upwardly in the path of the impeller blades 31. he outer end ofthe auger shaft 1.5% carries a wall chipger Wheel 156 disposed closelyproximate the wall and outward of the shait bearing 1 The chipper wheel156 operates to chip the silage, which might be frozen or otherwiseclinging to the wall. The tubular member 131 carries also an outwardlyprojecting bracket structure supporting a wall guide wheel which engagesthe Wall above the chipper wheel ids and opera es to prevent directcontact with the wall by the blades on the chipper wheel 56. The innerend of the auger driveshaft 15b is drivingly connected to the maindriveshaft 25 by means of bevel gears E63, respectively disposed in agear housing The shaft extends beyond the gear 1253 and has mounted onthe end thereof a worm gear 166 which meshes with the gear 16? carriedon a short stub shaft The shaft 15% extends outwardly of the gearhousing and is connected to the inner end or" the drive Wheel shaft 1.;by of an articulate connection 169.

Also drivingly connected to the main shaft 25 disposed at right anglesto the auger shaft ilSl is a second flipper driveshaft 21 A bevel gear Kll is provided on the shaft 37%) internally of the gear housing and isdrivingly connected to the bevel gear carried on the driveshaft 25. Theouter end of the shaft 17% terminates beneath the impeller chamber 151and carries at its outer an imoeller or second flipper blade 172. Thefirst paddle or ii and the dipper blade 172 will normally operate sothat the adjacent sides thereof move 1 wardly. Consequently, materialmoving inwardly by the auger 154- will pass between the blades 155' and2'73 which will cooperate to drive the material upwardly into thechamber 35 where it will contact the impeller blades in the mannerpreviously described. In viewing the silo unload-er as shown in FIG. 7,the silo will normally move in a counterclockwise direction with thewheel E38 trailing relative to the sweep auger 154 It will also be notedthat the auger is substantially at right angles to the driveshaft Aswill later become agsparent, it is believed that this is probably thebest angle 115., although the levelling system presently to be describedcould ogerate from a practical standpoint at other angles. Preferablythe auger 154 should be no 7 more than 90 in advance or in a trailingdirection to the drive wheel 138.

Fixed to the outer end of the tubular framework 131 is a rigid wheelframe 175 extending in a trailing direction relative to the number 131.The frame 175 carries the sensing or leveling wheel 1% which normallyrides over the surface of the silage. The sensing wheel 176 will operatein conjunction with the wheel 138 and the auger 154 to maintain thesurface substantially level. For ex ample, with the surface of thesilage level and the center of the unloader slightly raised, theunloader could run but no silage would be moved. By lowering the cablein the center the auger 15 would be lowered a like amount in the centerbut because of being supported by the gage wheel and balanced by thetraction wheel through the tubular steel member 13?, the auger would belowered a lesser amount on the outside so the machine would cut andremove silage until the outside is at the same level as the inside. -Atthat point the machine is again supported by the cable and the gagewheel and no more silage could be removed without further lowering thesupport cable. The previous explained action reeps the top of the silagein a level plane but not necessarily a horizontal plane. The maintainingof the surface of the silage in a horizontal plane is achieved by acombination of the above action plus the flexing of the tubular pipe130. This flexing is caused by the fact that the main weight of themachine is supported by the cable and because of the pendulum action,the main frame as well as the sweep, tries to maintain the levelsubstantially horizontal, the latter being permitted by the flexing ofthe pipe 13%. As a further example, if in FIG; '7 the traction wheelwere in a low spot and the silage adjacent the silo door at a relativelyhigh level, the upward flexing of the pipe 1343 caused by the pendulumaction of the main weight would allow the sweep auger to remain nearlylevel, and being supported at the outside end by the gage wheel, thesweep auger would have a tendency to take a heavier than normal cut toreduce the height of the high spot. Likewise when the traction wheel wason the high'spot the pipe 139 would flex downwardly due to the pendulumaction of the weight of the machine keeping the sweep nearly level andriding on the gage wheel so as to take a lesser cut, further reducingthe amount of difference in the high and low levels in silage. From atheoretical standpoint, the closer the wheel 176 is to the drive wheel13% and the auger 154- is to the wheel 13?, the move effective will thelevelling mechanism of the present invention operate. From a practicalstandpoint, it has been found that due to balance of the entire silounloader it is better to have the auger 154 approximately 90 away fromthe drive wheel 138.

The modified form of the invention will operate in a somewhat similarmanner of the previous form other than the levelling mechanism which hasbeen set forth in detail. The auger 154 will move the silage inwardlywhereupon the flippers 155, 172 will then move the material upwardlyinto the path of the impeller blade 31. The impeller blade will drivethe material through the opening in the chamber wall 16 and into theauger housing 110 which in turn will move the material outward of thesilo.

While only one form of the invention has been shown, it should berecognized that other forms and variations will occur to those skilledin the art. Therefore, it should be understood that while the presentdisclosure was shown and described in detail for purposes of completelyand fully explaining the principles of the invention, it was not theintention to so limit or narrow the invention beyond the broad conceptsset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a main framestructure including an inverted cup-shaped impeller chamber having anupright annular wall with "a lower terminal edge and a side dischargeopening in the wall; means supporting the frame structure adjacent thecenter of the silo; a vertical drive shaft extending through andconcentric with the axis of the chamber with a lower end below thechamber; an impeller including at least one laterally extendin andvertically disposed impeller blade fixed to the shaft with an outerupright edge closely adjacent the chamber wall and a lower edgesubstantially coplanar with the lower edge of the wall; sweep meansdisposed radially in the silo beneath the chamber and extendingsubstantially from the center to the wall of the silo and including apair of laterally extending and a-ngularly spaced auger drive shafts, afirst auger ilighting on one of the shafts having an outer end closelyproximate the silo wall and an inner end spaced from the chamberefiective to sweep an annular trough adjacent the silo wall; a secondauger flighting on the other auger shaft extending between the annulartrough and the chamber wall; a flipper fixed to and extending radiallyfrom one of the auger shafts beneath and inboard of the chamber andadapted to flip material upwardly in the path of the impeller blade; adischarge housing having one end connected to the chamber adjacent toand for receiving material through the side discharge, and extendingtherefrom to the outlet in the silo wall, a conveyor within the housingfor discharging material through the wall opening; and a drive mechanismfor effecting rotation of the sweep means over the surface of thematerial in the silo.

2. A material unloader for use in a silo having an up right silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a main framestructure including an inverted cup-shaped impeller chamber having anupright annular wall with a lower terminal edge and a side dischargeopening in the wall; means supporting the frame structure adjacent thecenter of the silo; a vertical drive shaft extending through andconcentric with the axis of the chamer with a lower end below thechamber; an impeller including at least one laterally extending andvertically disposed impeller blade fixed to the shaft with an outerupright edge closely adjacent the chamber wall and a lower edgesubstantially coplanar with the lower edge of the wall; sweep meansdisposed radially in the silo beneath the chamber and extendingsubstantially from the center to the wall of the silo and including apair of laterally extending and angularly spaced auger drive shafts, afirst auger fii hting on one of the shaft having an outer end closelyproximate the silo wall and an inner end spaced from the chambereffective to sweep an annular trough adjacent the silo wall; a secondauger flighting on the other auger shaft extending between the annulartrough and the chamber wall; a dipper fixed to and extending radiallyfrom one of the auger shafts beneath and inboard of the chamber andadapted to flip material upwardly in the path of the impeller blade; amaterial conveyor having one end supported on the frame structureadjacent to and for receiving material through the side discharge, andextending therefrom to the outlet in the silo wall.

3. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a main framestructure including an inverted cup-shaped impeller chamber having'anupright annular wall with a lower terminal'edge and a side dischargeopening in the wall; means supporting the frame structure adjacent thecenter of the silo; a vertical drive shaft extending through andconcentric with the axis of the chambeer with a lower end below thechamber; an impeller including at least one laterally extending andvertically disposed impeller blade fixed to the shaft with an outerupright edge closely adjacent the chamber wall and a lower edgesubstantially coplanar with the lower edge of the wall; sweep meansdisposed radially in the silo beneath the chamber and extendingsubstantially from the center to the wall of the silo and including apair of laterally extending and angularly spaced auger drive shafts, afirst auger fiighting on one of the shafts having an outer end closelyproximate the silo wall and an inner end spaced from the chambereffective to sweep an annular trough adjacent the silo wall; a secondauger fiighting on the other auger shaft extending between the annulartrough and the chamber wall; a dipper fixed to and extending radiallyfrom one of the auger shafts beneath and inboard of the chamber andadapted to hip material upwardly in the path of the impeller blade; awall chipping element opcratively connected to said one auger shaft anddisposed between the outer end of the first auger fiighting and sidewall; a material conveyor having one end supported on the framestructure adjacent to and for receiving material through the sidedischarge, and extending therefrom to the outlet in the silo wall.

4. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a main framestructure including an inverted cup-shaped impeller chamber having anupright annular wall with a lower terminal edge and a side dischargeopening in the wall; means supporting the frame structure adjacent theenter of the silo; a vertical drive shaft extending through andconcentric with the axis of the chamher with a lower end below thechamber; an impeller including at least one laterally extending andvertically disposed impeller blade fixed to the shaft with an outerupright edge closely adjacent the chamber wall and a lower edgesubstantially coplanar with the lower edge of the wall; sweep meansdisposed radially in the silo beneath the chamber and extendingsubstantially from the center to the wall of the silo and including apair of laterally extending and .angularly spaced auger drive shafts, afirst auger fiighting on one of the shafts having an outer end closelyproximate to the silo wall inner end spaced from the chamber effectiveto sweep an annular trough adjacent the silo wall; a second augerflighting on the outer auger shaft extending between the annular troughand the chamber wall; a gage wheel supporting the outer end of thesecond auger fiighting and extending radially outwardly and beyond theouter end thereof and disposed to ride in the annulrr trough of thefirst auger fiighting; a ilipper fixed to and extending radially fromone of the auger shafts beneath and inboard of the chamher and adaptedto hip material upwardly in the path of the impeller blade; a materialconveyor having one end supported on the frame structure adjacent to andfor receiving erial through the side discharge, and extending therefromto the outlet in the silo wall.

5. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a rigid laterallydisposed framework; centrally located drive means supported on theframework; 21 propellent shaft having an inner end articulatelyconnected to the drive means and extending to an outer end spaced fromthe central portion of the silo; drive wheel means outwardly of thepro-pellent shaft including a whee drive shaft; an articulate couplingconnecting the drive shaft to the outer end of the propellent shaft; afirst journal on the framework supporting the propellent shaft; a levelindicating wheel on the framework effective to raise and lower thejournal and said coupling in response to the wheel passing over low andhigh levels respectively of material in the silo; a sweep mechanismdisposed in advance of the drive wheel effective to move materialinwardly; rigid structure pivotally mounting the sweep mechanism on theframework for up and down movement; a second journal supported on thelatter structure and carrying the wheel drive shaft and effective to rase and lower said sweep mechanism in response to raising and lowering ofthe coupling; a centrally located impeller mechanism etfective toreceive material from the sweep mechanism; and a discharge conveyorextending from the central impeller mechanism to the material outlet fordischarging material received from the impeller mechanism.

ill

6. A material unloaded for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof com-prising: a rigidlaterally disposed framework; centrally located drive means supported onthe framework; a propellant shaft having an inner end articulatelyconected to the drive means and extending to an outer end spaced fromthe central portion of the silo; drive wheel means outwardly of thepropellant shaft including a wheel drive shaft; an articulate couplingconnecting the drive shaft to the outer end of the 'propellent sh ft;:2. first journal on the framework supporting the propellent shaft; alevel indicating wheel on the framework effective to raise and lower thejournal and said coupling in response to the wheel passing over low andhigh levels of material in the silo; a sweep mechanism disposed inadvance of the drive wheel effective to move material inwardly; rigidstructure pivotally mounting the sweep mechanism on the framework for upand down movement; a second journal supported on the latter structureand carrying the wheel drive shaft and effective to raise and lower sai-d sweep mechanism in response to raising and lowering of the coupling;a centrally located discharge mechanism effective to receive materialfrom the sweep mechanism and discharge the material through the outlet.

7. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a rigid laterallydisposed framework; centrally located drive means supoorted on theframework; a prop: lent shaft having an inner end .articui-ately connectcd to the drive means extending to an outer end spaced from thecentral portion of the silo; drive wheel means outwardly of thepropellant shaft including a wheel drive shaft; an articulate couplingconnecting the drive shaft to the outer end of the propellen-t shaft; afirst journal on the frame supporting the pro-pellent shaft; a levelindicating wheel on the framework effective to raise and lower thejournal and said coupling in response to the wheel passing over low andhigh levels of material in the silo; a sweep mechanism disposed inadvance of the drive wheel effective to move material inwardly; rigidstructure pivotally mounting the sweep mechanism on the framework for upand down movement; and a second journal supported on the latterstructure and carrying the wheel drive shaft and effective to raise .mdlower said sweep mechanism in response to raising and lowering of thecoupling.

8. The invention defined in claim 7 in which the sweep mechanismincludes an anger positioned in advance of the wheel means and the rigidstructure includes an anger shaft substantially parallel to thepropellent and drive shafts whereby the raising and lowering of thesecond journal will raise and lower the auger shaft.

9. The invention defined in claim 3 in which the whee means includes atraction wheel adjacent the silo wall and the anger is disposed adjacentthe wall whereby the wheel will move in the trough in the material leftby the auger.

it). The invention defined in claim 7 in which the level indicatingwheel is supported on the framework spacedly from the center of the siloand on the opposite side thereof than the drive wheel.

11. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a rigid laterallydisposed framework; suspension rneans supporting the framework closelyabove the surface of the material; drive means supported on theframework adjacent the center of the silo; 1a propellcnt shaft having aninner end articulately connected to the drive means and extending to anouter end spaced from the central portion of the silo; drive wheel meansoutwardly of the drive shaft including a wheel drive shaft and effectiveto move the framework angularly; an articulate coupling connecting thedrive shaft to the cute end of the propeller it shaft; a first journalon the frame supporting the propellcnt shaft; a level indicating wheelon the framework effective to raise and lower the journal and saidcoupling in response to the wheel passing over low and high levels onthe surface of the material; a first anger in advance of the wheel meansand effective to cut an annular trough in the material and in the pathof travel of the wheel means; a sweep auger supported on the frameworkextending on a radius from the center of the silo; a gage wheel on thesweep auger adapted to ride in the trough formed by the first auger; :anauger shaft for said first auger pivotally mounting the first auger onthe framework for up and down movement; a second journal rigid with theauger shaft carrying the wheel drive shaft and effective to raise andlower said first auger in response to raising and lowering of thecoupling; and a centrally located mechanism effective to receivematerial from the sweep auger and discharge the material through thematerial outlet.

12. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a rigid laterallydisposed framework; suspension means supporting the framework closelyabove the surface of the material; drive means supported on theframework adjacent the center of the silo; a level indicating wheel onthe framework effective to raise and lower the framework in response tothe wheel passing over low and high levels on the surface of thematerial; a first auger effective to cut an annular trough in thematerial; a sweep auger supported on the framework extending on a radiusfrom the center of the silo; a gage wheel on the sweep auger adapted toride in the trough formed by the first auger; an auger shaft for saidfirst auger pivotally mounting the first anger on the framework for upand down movement; a connection between the framework and said augershaft effective to raise and lower said first auger in response toraising and lowering of the framework; and a centrally located mechanismeffective to receive material from the sweep auger and discharge thematerial through the material outlet.

13. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a rigid laterallydisposed framework extending from a central portion in the silo topoints adjacent the wall; drive means on the central portion of theframework; a traction wheel drive shaft having an inner end articulatelyconnected to the drive means and extending to the outer end spaced fromthe central portion of the silo; a drive wheel on the outer end of thewheel drive shaft effective to move the framework angularly around thesilo; a rigid laterally disposed structure pivotally mounted on theframework for up and down movement and extending toward the tractionwheel; a journal on the structure engaging the shaft and effective toraise and lower the structure in accordance with the material level thetraction wheel is passing over; a sweep mechanism mounted on theframework in advance of the drive wheel effective to move materialcentrally; a level wheel supported on the framework between the sweepmechanism and traction wheel and engaging the surface of the material ata point offset from the pivotal connection between the structure andframework whereby raising and lowering of the structure will effectraising and lowering of the sweep mechanism; and a centrally locatedmechanism supported on the framework effective to receive material fromthe sweep mechanism and discharge it through the material outlet.

14. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a rigid laterallydisposed framework extending from a central portion in the silo topoints adjacent the wall; drive means on the central portion of theframework; a traction wheel drive shaft having an inner end articulatelyconnected to the drive means and extending to an outer end spaced fromthe central portion of the silo; a drive wheel on the outer end of thewheel drive shaft effective to move the framework angularly around thesilo; a rigid laterally disposed structure pivotally Afai mounted on theframework for up and down movement and extending toward the tractionwheel; a journal on the structure engaging the shaft and effective toraise and lower the structure'in accordance with the material level thetraction wheel is passing over; a sweep mechanism mounted on theframework substantially at in advance of the drive wheel effective tomove material centrally; a level wheel supported on the framework behindthe sweep mechanism and in advance of the traction wheel and engagingthe surface of the material at a point behind the pivotal axis of theconnection between the structure .and framework whereby raising andlowering of the structure will effect raising and lowering of the sweepmechanism; and a centrally located mechanism supported on the frameworkeffective to receive material from the sweep mechanism and discharge itthrough the material outlet.

15. A material unloader for use in a silo having an upright silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a rigid laterallydisposed framework extending from a central portion in the silo topoints adjacent the wall; drive means on the central portion of theframework; a traction wheel drive shaft having an inner end articulatelyconnected to the drive means and extending to an outer end spaced fromthe central portion of the silo; a drive wheel on the outer end of thewheel drive shaft effective to move the framework angularly around thesilo; a rigid laterally disposed structure pivotally mounted on theframework for up and down movement and extending toward the tractionwheel; a journal on the structure engaging the shaft and effective toraise and lower the structure in accordance with the material level thetraction wheel is passing over; a sweep mechanism mounted on theframework angularly spaced sub stantially at 90 of the drive wheeleffective to move material centrally; a level wheel supported on theframework between the sweep mechanism and in advance of the tractionwheel and engaging the surface of the material at a point offset fromthe pivotal axis of the connection between the structure and frameworkwhereby vertical movement of the structure will effect verticalpositioning of the sweep mechanism; and a centrally located mechanismsupported on the framework effective to receive material from the sweepmechanism and discharge it through the material outlet.

16. A material unloader for use in a silo having an uprlght silo wallwith a material outlet in one side thereof comprising: a rigid laterallydisposed framework extendmg from a central portion in the silo to pointsadjacent the wall; a centrally located suspension element connected tothe central portion of the framework and pendently supporting theframework from the top of the silo; drive means on the central portionof the framework; a traction wheel drive shaft having an inner endarticulately connected to the drive means and extending to an outer endspaced from the central portion of the silo; a drive wheel on the outerend of the wheel drive shaft effective to move the framework angularlyaround the silo; a rigid laterally disposed structure pivotally mountedon the framework for up and down movement and extending toward thetraction wheel; a journal on the structure engaging the shaft andeffective to raise and lower the structure in accordance with thematerial level the traction wheel is passing over; a sweepmechanism'mounted on the framework angularly spaced substantially at 90of the drive wheel effective to move material centrally; a level wheelsupported on the framework between the sweep mechanism and in advance ofthe traction wheel and engaging the surface of the material at a pointoffset from the pivotal axis of the connection between the structure andframework whereby vertical movement of the structure will effectvertical positioning of the sweep mechanism; and a centrally locatedmechanism supported on the framework effective to receive material fromthe 13 sweep mechanism and discharge it through the material outlet.

17. A material unloader for use in a silo comprising: a main framework;a centrally located suspension element connected to and pendentlysupporting the framework from the top of the silo; central drive meanssupported on the framework; a traction wheel drive shaft having an innerend articulately connected to the drive means and extending to an outerend spaced from the central portion of the silo; a traction wheel on theouter end of the wheel drive shaft effective to move angularly aroundthe silo; a sweep mechanism mounted on the framework relatively closeangular proximity to the drive wheel and effective to move materialcentrally; a rigid structure extending between and pivotallyinterconnecting the drive shaft and sweep mechanism to permit relativevertical movement; and a level wheel supported on the sweep mechanismbetween the sweep mechanism and traction wheel and engaging the surfaceof the material at a point offset from the pivotal connection betweenthe structure and sweep mechanism whereby vertical displacement of thetraction wheel will effect vertical displacement of the sweep mechanism.

18. A material unloader for use in a silo comprising: a main framework;a centrally located suspension element connected to and pendentlysupporting the framework from the top of the silo; central drive meanssupported on the framework; a traction wheel drive shaft having an innerend articulately connected to the drive means and extending to an outerend spaced from the central portion of the silo; a traction wheel on theouter end of the wheel drive shaft effective to move angularly aroundthe silo; a sweep auger mounted on the framework in relatively closeangular proximity to the drive wheel and effective to move materialcentrally; a rigid structure extending between and pivotallyinterconnecting the drive shaft and framework to permit relativevertical movement; and a level wheel supported on the framework betweenthe sweep mechanism and traction wheel and engaging the surface of thematerial at a point offset from the pivotal connection between thestructure and framework whereby vertical dis placement of the tractionwheel will effect vertical displacement of the sweep auger.

1%. The invention defined in claim 18 in which the main framework has alaterally disposed portion substantially at right angles to the driveshaft, the pivotal connection is substantially at right angles to thedrive shaft and is closely adjacent the sweep auger, and the level wheelis connected to the framework by means of an arm which extends in atrailing direction from the laterally disposed portion of the framework.

2%. The invention defined in claim 18 further characterized by a wallwheel supported on the framework adjacent the outer end of the sweep andengageable with the wall for preventing engagement of the outer end ofthe sweep with the wall.

References Cited by the Exer- UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,866,005 7/32Beatty 198-213 2,465,145 3 49 Brainerd 1982 1 3 2,988,238 6/61 Bruecker2l4l7 3,017,043 1/62 Buschbom 21417 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

1. A MATERIAL UNLOADER FOR USE IN A SILO HAVING AN UPRIGHT SILO WALLWITH A MATERIAL OUTLET IN ONE SIDE THEREOF COMPRISING: A MAIN FRAMESTRUCTURE INCLUDING AN INVERTED CUP-SHAPED IMPELLER CHAMBER HAVING ANUPRIGHT ANNULAR WALL WITH A LOWER TERMINAL EDGE AND A SIDE DISCHARGEOPENING IN THE WALL; MEANS SUPPORTING THE FRAME STRUCTURE ADJACENT THECENTER OF THE SILO; A VERTICAL DRIVE SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH ANDCONCENTRIC WITH THE AXIS OF THE CHAMBER WITH A LOWER END BELOW THECHAMBER; AN IMPELLER INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE LATERALLY EXTENDING ANDVERTICALLY DISPOSED IMPELLER BLADE FIXED TO THE SHAFT WITH AN OUTERUPRIGHT EDGE CLOSELY ADJACENT THE CHAMBER WALL AND A LOWER EDGESUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR WITH THE LOWER EDGE OF THE WALL; SWEEP MEANSDISPOSED RADIALLY IN THE SILO BENEATH THE CHAMBER AND EXTENDINGLSUBSTANTIALLY FROM THE CENTER TO THE WALL OF THE SILO AND INCLUDING APAIR OF LATERALLY EXTENDING AND ANGULARLY SPACED AUGER DRIVE SHAFTS, AFIRST AUGER FIGHTING ON ONE OF THE SHAFTS HAVING AN OUTER END CLOSELYPROXIMATE THE SILO WALL AND AN INNER END SPACED FROM THE CHAMBEREFFECTIVE TO SWEEP AN ANNULAR TROUGH ADJACENT THE SILO WALL; A SECONDAUGER FLIGHTING ON THE OTHER AUGER SHAFT EXTENDING BETWEEN THE ANNULARTROUGH AND THE CHAMBER WALL; A FLIPPER FIXED TO AND EXTENDING RADIALLYFROM ONE OF THE AUGER SHAFTS BENEATH AND INBOARD OF THE CHAMBERANDADAPTED TO FLIP MATERIAL UPWARDLY IN THE PATH OF THE IMPELLER BLADE; ADISCHARGE WARDLY IN THE PATH OF THE IMPELLER BLADE; A DISCHARGE CENT TOAND FOR RECEIVING MATERIAL THROUGH THE SIDE DISCHARGE, AND EXTENDINGTHEREFROM TO THE OUTLET IN THE SILO WALL, A CONVEYOR WITHIN THE HOUSINGFOR DISCHARGING MATERIAL THROUGH THE WALL OPENING; AND DRIVE MECHANISMFOR EFFECTING ROTATION OF THE SWEEP MEANS OVER THE SURFACE OF THEMATERIAL IN THE SILO.